What Is Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving is the driving of a vehicle at a speed or in a manner that shows an utter disregard for the safety of persons or property. In other words, a reckless driver knows that he is driving dangerously but chooses to do so despite the risk. Depending on what state you live in, reckless driving is either a misdemeanor criminal offense or a misdemeanor traffic offense.

Depending on what state you live in, reckless driving is either a misdemeanor criminal offense or a misdemeanor traffic offense. Some states call the violation of reckless driving as “careless driving.”

What Are the Factors Reckless Driving?

Courts weigh in a number of factors to determine whether the driver was driving in a reckless manner. This includes:

The time of day and whether the drivers driving was safe

Weather conditions

The presence of other people

The driver’s act was beyond mere negligence

Common Types of Reckless Driving

Although state laws vary in defining reckless driving, some common examples of reckless driving include:

Speeding excessively of over 25 miles over the posted speed limit

Tailgating

Illegal passing (for example, passing on a curve or using the opposing traffic lane to pass)

Weaving through traffic

Ignoring traffic signs and signals

Driving a vehicle known to have faulty brakes or other dangerous flaws

Racing other cars

Escaping from a police officer after a traffic stop

Consequences of Reckless Driving

Depending on whether a state considers reckless driving to be a misdemeanor criminal offense or a misdemeanor traffic offense, penalties for reckless driving can be fairly severe. Some of the possible consequences include:

The reckless driving charge will go on your driving record

You will have a criminal record

You may be put on probation

Your driving privileges may be suspended

You may have to pay fines of up to $2,500 depending on your state's laws

You may face jail time of up to one year

The severity of your penalties will depend primarily on your state's laws and your prior driving history.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Reckless Driving Charges?

If your state classifies reckless driving as a criminal offense, you should hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Even if your state classifies reckless driving as a driving offense, you can still benefit from the aid of a lawyer. A criminal defense attorney can represent you in court, negotiate a plea bargain, or seek to lower your fines or jail time.